Diaphragm valve



July 31, 195] 7 Filed Dec. 15, 1945 H. E. MORRISQN DIAPHRAGM VALVE 2SheetsSheet 1 July 31, 1951 H. E. MORRISON DIAPHRAGM VALVE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 15, 1945 Patented July 31 1951 DIAPHRAGM VALVEHarold E. Morrison, St. Joseph, Mich., assignor to Nineteen HundredCorporation, St. Joseph, Mich., a corporation of New York ApplicationDecember 15, 1945, Serial No. 635,142

fluids used in householdlaundry machines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a three-way valvehaving a single diaphragm valve member which alternately opens one portand then another of the three-way valve. Still another object of thepresent invention is to provide a novel solenoid actuated valve.

A still further object of the present invention is 'to provide a novelvalve housing and valve actuation mechanism.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My inventionitself, however, both as to its manner of construction and method ofoperation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a three-way valve embodying the novelteachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the valve housing with the valve actuatingmechanism and the cover plate removed;

Figure 3 is an elevational view partly in section, as indicated alongthe line IIIIII of Figure 1, of the three-way valve shown in Figure 1;and

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the valve actuatingmechanism in its position when the actuating solenoid is energized.

The particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawingscomprises a housing II having two hollow center posts or sleeves I2 andI3 extending through the bottom wall thereof. These hollow center postsor sleeves I2 and I3 terminate within the housing II in a region orplane lying in proximity to and spaced away from a cover plate or webmember I4 which is bolted or otherwise secured as at I5 to a flange I6formed on the main housing portion I I. This cover member I4 isarrangedto clamp a flexible diaphragm Il into position against theflange I6 to form the top wall of the housing II. The

and has two reinforced disc-like portions I8 and I9 which lie oppositethe inner ends of the sleeves or center posts I2 and I3. The reinforceddisc-like portions I8 and I9 have ears 2!! and 2I formed on thereinforced portions of the diaphragm I1 and are arranged to be pinned asat 22 and 23 to a rocker arm 24 which is pivotally mounted as at 25 on acentral portion of the cover plate or web member I4.

The cover member I4 is provided with two relatively large openings '26and 21 opposite the reinforced disc-like portions I8 and I9, therebyproviding free access to the reinforced disc-like portions I8 and I9through the cover plate I4 for the necessary hinge connection to therocker arm 24.

The hollow center posts or sleeves I2 and I3 at their inner ends providevalve seats, and the reinforced disc-like portions I8 and [9 providevalve members for opening and closing the ends of the sleeves I2 and I3.Thus the sleeves I2 and I3 provide two of the ports of the threewayvalve construction.

In order to reinforce the region of the cover member I4 where the rockerarm is pivotally mounted thereon, a substantially solid center post 28extends up from the base of the housing II to a position where thecentral portion of the diaphragm I1 is seated tightly thereagainst andthus in turn forces the central portion of the cover plate or web memberI4. It will be observed that the center post 28 is a relatively smallpost and that fluid flows freely therearound within the housing II.

Mounted on one side of the housing II is a solenoid 29 into which alaminated armature 30 extends. The armature 30 is pivotally mounted asat 3| by a loose pin and hole connection on the rocker arm 24. A coilspring 32' extends between the rocker arm 24 and the yoke 33 of thesolenoid 29 and thus biases the rocker arm 24 in a clockwise directionabout its pivot point 25, as viewed in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.Stated in a somewhat different manner, the compression spring 32normally forces the disclike central portion I8 of the diaphragm I?tightly against the sleeve I2, while the disc-like portion I9 has beenmoved away from the sleeve I 3. Upon energization of the solenoid I! thearmature 30 is drawn into the solenoid 29 and the rocker arm 24 is thusmoved to force the disc-like center portion I9 against the sleeve I3while withdrawing the disc-like center portion I8 away from the sleeveI2.

It will be noted, from an inspection of Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings,that the connection between the Gutter pin 23 and the rocker arm 24 is arelatively loose connection. More particularly, the rocker arm 24 isprovided with a finger portion 34 having a relatively large hole 35 nearits end through which the cotter pin 23 extends. This hole 35, as isshown in the drawing, is substantially larger than the cross-sectionalarea of the cotter pin. and thus takes into consideration the relativetransitional movement of the center of the opening 35 with respect tothe axis of the sleeve l3. A small helical compression spring 36 isfitted around the finger 34 to assurea tight seal between the reinforcedcentral portion IQ of the diaphragm I! which forms the valve member 1for the sleeve or port 13.

Two of the ports of the three-way valve are provided by the sleeves l2and 13. The third port or duct is provided by the outwardly extendingtubular portion 31 which opens into the interior of the casing H andwhich, as shown, extend at right angles to the axes of'the'sleeves 'lZand [3.

The post 28,:which extends up 1' into ithez'center of the'oasing I l, isprovided with-a threadedre- I cess 38 which enables the casing to' beconvenientlysecured to any structure upon which the valveis'to-be'mounted. The center post-28 i also I provided'w-ith a-lip-39 whichextends transversely of the major axis of the'casing' 1 Lee .is clearlyshown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

From the above description it will be apparent that fluid may be passedthrough the tubular casing portion 3!- and then selectively out througheither the port 12 orthe-port i3, dependingupon whether the solenoid 29is energized ordeenergized. The particular manner in which the sole-"noid 29 is energized forms no part of the present invention, it'being'sufiicient for purposesherein to point out that this solenoid maybe electrically energized through the terminals Hand 4! from anyelectrical control circuit. As previously "pointed out, this valve isarranged for the flow of fluid in either direction. 'The tubular portion-31'may form the outlet'port of the valve and fluid may be selectivelyreceived eitherthrough "port 12 or port l3, depending upon whether the rsolenoid-29 is energized or deenergized.

One of- -theparticularly advantageous features of the present valve liesin the fact thatwhen the tubular portion 3l=is to be used a the outletport and is connected to a suctionpump, an air-tight seal is providedbetween the valve memberand its associated port, which is not beingused. Thus when the port I3 is closed b the valve'-member portion IQ ofthe diaphragm ll; fiuid may be sucked through thetubular portion orportl2 and withdrawn through the-tubular portion Why a. suction pumpconnected to the tubular portion 31.

While I: have-shown a particular embodiment of my invention it will, ofcourse, be .understood that I do not wish to be limitedl'thereto,;sincemany modifications-may be made, .and 1,. therefore, contemplate by theappended claims, to cover all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of myinvention.

ing said two ports, an open web cover plate extending over said flexiblediaphragm and clamping the entire peripheral edge thereof to saidhousing with a fluid-tight seal, a centrally disposed ear on said web, arocker arm pivotally mounted on said ear, said diaphragm havingreinforced valve member portions on opposite sides of. said ear' anddisposed opposite the ends of iii said tubular portions, meansconnecting said rocker arm on opposite sides of said ear to said "valvemember portions respectively, and mechaportions while positively liftingthe other of said 'valve member portions away from the other of saidtubular portions and vice versa.

2. A valveunit comprising a housing forming a chamber, said housinghaving a pair of sleevelike portions extending through the base wallthereof and terminating in proximity to but short v.of the opposite sideof said. housing, thereby providing a pair of ports, said housing havinga third port extending through a wall thereof, a flexible diaphragmextending across said housing on the opposite side thereof from saidbase wall andabove the ends of said tubular portions forming. said. twoports, an open web cover platev extending over said flexible diaphragmand clamping the. entire peripheral edge thereof to said housing with afluid-tight seal, a centrally disposed ear. on said web, a rocker armpivotally mounted on said ear, said diaphragm having reinforced valvemember portions on opposite sides of said ear and disposed opposite theends of said tubular portions, means for biasing said rocker arm so thatone of said valve member portions is in port closing engagement with theend of one of said tubular portions, the other of said valve memberportions being mechanically held away from port-closing engagement withits associated tubular portion and means for actuating said rocker armagainst the action of said biasing means for moving the second one ofsaid valve member portions intov port closing engagement with the end ofthe second one of said tubular portions, and for lifting said firstvalve member portion away from its associated tubular portion.

' 3. A three-way valve comprising a housing forming a chamber, saidhousing having a pair of sleeve-like portions extending through the basewall thereof and terminating in proximity to but short of the oppositeside of said housing, thereby providing a pair of ports, said housinghaving a third port extending through a wall thereof, a flexiblediaphragm extending across said housing and forming a closed walltherefor on the "opposite side of the housing fromsaid basewall andabove the ends of said tubular portions forming'said two ports, a rockerarm,'means for pivotalry' mounting said rocker arm exteriorly ofsaid-diaphragm, means on opposite sides of. the pivot point of saidrockerarm and carried there- 'by-Ior'engaging spaced portions of saiddiaphragm to force-said portions alternately into engagement with theends'of said tubular portions respectively, said rocker arm having atail'portion extending outwardly at an acute angle-with respect to theplane of 'thediaphragm, means for biasing said rocker arm in a directionto increase the size'ofsaidacute angle, and meansacting in a directionsubstantially at right angles to said tail portion and againstsaidbiasing means for rocking said rocker arm.

4. A three-wayyalve comprising a' housing "forming a chamber,said'housing having a pair of sleeve-like portions extending through thebase wall thereof and terminating in proximity to but short of theopposite side of said housing, thereby providing a pair of ports, saidhousing having a third port extending through a wall thereof, a flexiblediaphragm extending across said housing and forming a closed walltherefor on the opposite side of the housing from said base wall andabove the ends of said tubular portions forming said two ports, a rockerarm, means for pivotally mounting said rocker arm exteriorly of saiddiaphragm, means on opposite sides of the pivot point of said rocker armand carried thereby for engaging spaced portions of said diaphragm toforce said portions a1- ternately into engagement with the ends of saidtubular portions respectively, said rocker arm having a tail portionextending outwardly at an acute angle with respect to the plane of thediaphragm, means for biasing said rocker arm in a direction to increasethe size of said acute angle, an electric solenoid mounted on saidhousing with its magnetic axis extending substantially at right anglesto said tail portion of said rocker arm, an armature slidably fittingwithin said solenoid and pivotally connected to said tail portion,whereby upon energization of said solenoid said rocker arm is rocked toclose the normally open tubular portion and to open the normally closedtubular portion.

5. In a valve structure, a housing having a base wall and lateral wallsextending therefrom to define a chamber open on the side opposite saidbase wall, a pair of sleeves extending through said base wall andterminating in proximity to but short of the plane of said open side,thereby providing a pair of ports, said sleeves being spaced from saidlateral walls to provide a free path of fluid flow within said chamber,said housing shaped to provide a third port extending through a wallthereof, a flexible diaphragm extending across said open side and havingreinforced portions opposite said pair of ports, an open web cover plateextending over said flexible diaphragm and clamping the entireperipheral edge thereof in a fluid-tight seal, a centrally disposed earon said web, a unitary rocker arm pivotally mounted on said ear andmeans carried on opposite sides of the pivot point of said rocker armfor engaging said reinforced portions and for positively displacing sameto close tightly and open wide said pair of ports, said rocker armhaving a tail portion extending outwardly at an acute angle with respectto the plane of said diaphragm, means for biasing said rocker arm in adirection to increase the size of said acute angle, an electric solenoidmounted on said housing with its magnetic axis substantially at rightangles to said tail portion, a laminated armature slidably fittingwithin said solenoid and pivotally connected to said tail portion, saidsolenoid positioned so that upon energization of the same said rockerarm is rocked counter to the direction of bias to close the normallyopen port while opening the normally closed port, and a lost motiondevice operating from said rocker arm assuring a tight closure of thenormally open port.

HAROLD E. MORRISON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 594,346 Fortier Nov. 23, 18971,952,147 Stahl Mar. 27, 1934 2,153,029 Tarris Apr. 4, 193 9 2,216,292Evleth Oct. 1, 1940 2,243,815 Griswold May 27, 1941 2,286,282 JoestingJune 16, 1942 2,324,100 Maynard July 13, 1943 2,333,913 Beam Nov. 9,1943 2,376,918 Hughes May 29, 1945 2,414,196 Geldhef et al Jan. 14, 19472,427,441 Butts Sept. 16, 1947

